The Lantern Pike Inn, Derbyshire, is where Tony Warren wrote the first six
episodes of Coronation Street

Last midwinter, the hamlet of Little Hayfield, on the High Peak road from Glossop to Chapel-en-le-Frith, was snowed in. Almost all the inhabitants promptly dug their way to the local, the Lantern Pike Inn, and had a wonderful evening. It's that sort of a pub.

The place started out as a farmhouse in 1783, became a pub in 1844, and still has a country feel to it. A higgledy-piggledy double patio at the back looks up at the dramatic rise of Lantern Pike itself.

Inside, the noticeboard by the bar suggests shotgun and clay-pigeon shooting lessons and offers maps of local walks (with dogs) over the surrounding hills. There is a guide to well dressing, a Derbyshire tradition involving the decoration of local wells with elaborate coded flower patterns pressed in clay. Come in early September and you can visit the Sheepdog Trials and Country Show.

There are urban preoccupations as well. A sweepstake calls for forecasts of the number of goals that Michael Owen will score for Manchester United this season.

Timothy Taylor's Landlord is the regular cask beer. This is always backed up by another local – today, it's Longdendale Lights, a lovely refreshing citrus-and-biscuit summer special from the Howard Town brewery in Glossop.

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There is an extensive chalkboard menu in the restaurant. The offerings range from the simple Lantern Pike Platter (cheddar, Stilton, celery, pickle and warm bread roll for £3.25) to the sublime Whitby Whole Dressed Crab salad (with extra prawns, £9.25).

The Lantern has an assured place in the cultural history of the nation. Here, Tony Warren wrote the first six episodes of Coronation Street in 1960. There's an affectionate, signed letter from Warren and portraits of the cast – Pat Phoenix/Elsie Tanner, Violet Carson/Ena Sharples et al – to prove it.

Next year, the locals plan to celebrate the 50th anniversary with a Coronation Street quiz night and Betty's hotpot.